Wireless power and data transfer for electronic devices

ABSTRACT

Exemplary embodiments are directed to wireless power. A wireless charging device may comprise a charging region configured for placement of one or more chargeable devices. The charging device may further include at least one transmit antenna configured for transmitting wireless power within the charging region. Furthermore, the charging device is configured to exchange data between at least one chargeable device of the one or more chargeable devices.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY UNDER 35 U.S.C. §119

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to:

U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/151,828 entitled “CHARGE PLUSAUTOMATIC CONNECTIONS” filed on Feb. 11, 2009, the disclosure of whichis hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety;

U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/164,402 entitled “CHARGINGMULTIPLE DEVICES AND ENABLING INFORMATION SHARING BETWEEN THE DEVICES”filed on Mar. 28, 2009, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporatedby reference in its entirety;

U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/166,686 entitled “COMBININGWIRELESS CHARGING CAPABILITY AND THE ABILITY TO RECEIVE A WIRELESSCHARGE IN A SINGLE PORTABLE COMPUTING DEVICE” filed on Apr. 3, 2009, thedisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety;

U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/158,396 entitled “WIRELESSCHARGING” filed on Mar. 8, 2009, the disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety;

U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/227,934 entitled “USING ADEVICE WITH A WLAN OR WAN MODEM FOR CONNECTION TO THE INTERNET BY AWIRELESS CHARGING STATION” filed on Jul. 23, 2009, the disclosure ofwhich is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety; and

U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/114,436 entitled “VALUEADDING FUNCTIONS TO WIRELESS CHARGING” filed on Nov. 13, 2008, thedisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The present invention relates generally to wireless charging, and morespecifically to programmable devices, bidirectional charging, andtransmission of data between electronic devices while charging at leastone of the electronic devices.

2. Background

Typically, each battery powered device requires its own charger andpower source, which is usually an AC power outlet. This becomes unwieldywhen many devices need charging.

Approaches are being developed that use over the air power transmissionbetween a transmitter and the device to be charged. These generally fallinto two categories. One is based on the coupling of plane waveradiation (also called far-field radiation) between a transmit antennaand receive antenna on the device to be charged which collects theradiated power and rectifies it for charging the battery. Antennas aregenerally of resonant length in order to improve the couplingefficiency. This approach suffers from the fact that the power couplingfalls off quickly with distance between the antennas. So charging overreasonable distances (e.g., >1-2 m) becomes difficult. Additionally,since the system radiates plane waves, unintentional radiation caninterfere with other systems if not properly controlled throughfiltering.

Other approaches are based on inductive coupling between a transmitantenna embedded, for example, in a “charging” mat or surface and areceive antenna plus rectifying circuit embedded in the host device tobe charged. This approach has the disadvantage that the spacing betweentransmit and receive antennas must be very close (e.g. mms). Though thisapproach does have the capability to simultaneously charge multipledevices in the same area, this area is typically small, hence the usermust locate the devices to a specific area.

A need exists for wireless charging of devices while exchanginginformation among the devices. A need also exists for bidirectionaltransmission of wireless power among devices, programmable wirelessdevices, and security features for wireless charging.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a simplified block diagram of a wireless power transfersystem.

FIG. 2 shows a simplified schematic diagram of a wireless power transfersystem.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of a loop antenna for use in exemplaryembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 depicts a charging system including a wireless charging deviceand a wirelessly chargeable device, in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a wireless charging device communicatively coupled toa network, according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of a charging system including awireless charging device, according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 7 depicts a wireless charging system including a charging devicehaving an interface, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 8 is another depiction of the wireless charging system illustratedin FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is yet another depiction of the wireless charging systemillustrated in FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method, in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates a plurality of electronic devices configured forreceiving and transmitting wireless power, according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 depicts an electronic device having an antenna coupled thereto,according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 illustrates an electronic device having a transmit antenna and areceive antenna coupled thereto, in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 illustrates a state machine diagram depicting operational statesof an electronic device configured for receiving and transmittingwireless power, according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 15 illustrates a surface computing device configured fortransmitting wireless power, according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 16 illustrates another surface computing device configured fortransmitting wireless power, according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 17 depicts a system including a surface computing device and acomputer, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 18 illustrates a chargeable device configured to transition into auser-defined charging profile upon detection of a power source, inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 illustrates a charging system including a wireless chargingdevice and at least one electronic device, in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating another method, in accordance withan exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 illustrates another charging system including a chargeabledevice, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example,instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as“exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred oradvantageous over other embodiments.

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appendeddrawings is intended as a description of exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention and is not intended to represent the only embodimentsin which the present invention can be practiced. The term “exemplary”used throughout this description means “serving as an example, instance,or illustration,” and should not necessarily be construed as preferredor advantageous over other exemplary embodiments. The detaileddescription includes specific details for the purpose of providing athorough understanding of the exemplary embodiments of the invention. Itwill be apparent to those skilled in the art that the exemplaryembodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specificdetails. In some instances, well-known structures and devices are shownin block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the novelty of theexemplary embodiments presented herein.

The words “wireless power” is used herein to mean any form of energyassociated with electric fields, magnetic fields, electromagneticfields, or otherwise that is transmitted between from a transmitter to areceiver without the use of physical electromagnetic conductors.

FIG. 1 illustrates wireless transmission or charging system 100, inaccordance with various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.Input power 102 is provided to a transmitter 104 for generating aradiated field 106 for providing energy transfer. A receiver 108 couplesto the radiated field 106 and generates an output power 110 for storingor consumption by a device (not shown) coupled to the output power 110.Both the transmitter 104 and the receiver 108 are separated by adistance 112. In one exemplary embodiment, transmitter 104 and receiver108 are configured according to a mutual resonant relationship and whenthe resonant frequency of receiver 108 and the resonant frequency oftransmitter 104 are substantially identical, transmission losses betweenthe transmitter 104 and the receiver 108 are minimal when the receiver108 is located in the “near-field” of the radiated field 106.

Transmitter 104 further includes a transmit antenna 114 for providing ameans for energy transmission and receiver 108 further includes areceive antenna 118 for providing a means for energy reception. Thetransmit and receive antennas are sized according to applications anddevices to be associated therewith. As stated, an efficient energytransfer occurs by coupling a large portion of the energy in thenear-field of the transmitting antenna to a receiving antenna ratherthan propagating most of the energy in an electromagnetic wave to thefar field. When in this near-field a coupling mode may be developedbetween the transmit antenna 114 and the receive antenna 118. The areaaround the antennas 114 and 118 where this near-field coupling may occuris referred to herein as a coupling-mode region.

FIG. 2 shows a simplified schematic diagram of a wireless power transfersystem. The transmitter 104 includes an oscillator 122, a poweramplifier 124 and a filter and matching circuit 126. The oscillator isconfigured to generate at a desired frequency, which may be adjusted inresponse to adjustment signal 123. The oscillator signal may beamplified by the power amplifier 124 with an amplification amountresponsive to control signal 125. The filter and matching circuit 126may be included to filter out harmonics or other unwanted frequenciesand match the impedance of the transmitter 104 to the transmit antenna114.

The receiver may include a matching circuit 132 and a rectifier andswitching circuit 134 to generate a DC power output to charge a battery136 as shown in FIG. 2 or power a device coupled to the receiver (notshown). The matching circuit 132 may be included to match the impedanceof the receiver 108 to the receive antenna 118.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, antennas used in exemplary embodiments may beconfigured as a “loop” antenna 150, which may also be referred to hereinas a “magnetic” antenna. Loop antennas may be configured to include anair core or a physical core such as a ferrite core. Air core loopantennas may be more tolerable to extraneous physical devices placed inthe vicinity of the core. Furthermore, an air core loop antenna allowsthe placement of other components within the core area. In addition, anair core loop may more readily enable placement of the receive antenna118 (FIG. 2) within a plane of the transmit antenna 114 (FIG. 2) wherethe coupled-mode region of the transmit antenna 114 (FIG. 2) may be morepowerful.

As stated, efficient transfer of energy between the transmitter 104 andreceiver 108 occurs during matched or nearly matched resonance betweenthe transmitter 104 and the receiver 108. However, even when resonancebetween the transmitter 104 and receiver 108 are not matched, energy maybe transferred at a lower efficiency. Transfer of energy occurs bycoupling energy from the near-field of the transmitting antenna to thereceiving antenna residing in the neighborhood where this near-field isestablished rather than propagating the energy from the transmittingantenna into free space.

The resonant frequency of the loop or magnetic antennas is based on theinductance and capacitance. Inductance in a loop antenna is generallysimply the inductance created by the loop, whereas, capacitance isgenerally added to the loop antenna's inductance to create a resonantstructure at a desired resonant frequency. As a non-limiting example,capacitor 152 and capacitor 154 may be added to the antenna to create aresonant circuit that generates resonant signal 156. Accordingly, forlarger diameter loop antennas, the size of capacitance needed to induceresonance decreases as the diameter or inductance of the loop increases.Furthermore, as the diameter of the loop or magnetic antenna increases,the efficient energy transfer area of the near-field increases. Ofcourse, other resonant circuits are possible. As another non-limitingexample, a capacitor may be placed in parallel between the two terminalsof the loop antenna. In addition, those of ordinary skill in the artwill recognize that for transmit antennas the resonant signal 156 may bean input to the loop antenna 150.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention include coupling power betweentwo antennas that are in the near-fields of each other. As stated, thenear-field is an area around the antenna in which electromagnetic fieldsexist but may not propagate or radiate away from the antenna. They aretypically confined to a volume that is near the physical volume of theantenna. In the exemplary embodiments of the invention, magnetic typeantennas such as single and multi-turn loop antennas are used for bothtransmit (Tx) and receive (Rx) antenna systems since magnetic near-fieldamplitudes tend to be higher for magnetic type antennas in comparison tothe electric near-fields of an electric-type antenna (e.g., a smalldipole). This allows for potentially higher coupling between the pair.Furthermore, “electric” antennas (e.g., dipoles and monopoles) or acombination of magnetic and electric antennas is also contemplated.

The Tx antenna can be operated at a frequency that is low enough andwith an antenna size that is large enough to achieve good coupling(e.g., >−4 dB) to a small Rx antenna at significantly larger distancesthan allowed by far field and inductive approaches mentioned earlier. Ifthe Tx antenna is sized correctly, high coupling levels (e.g., −2 to −4dB) can be achieved when the Rx antenna on a host device is placedwithin a coupling-mode region (i.e., in the near-field) of the driven Txloop antenna.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention include electronic devicesconfigured for both receiving and transmitting wireless power. As such,various exemplary embodiments are directed to bidirectional wirelesspower transmission. Further, according to various exemplary embodiments,electronic devices may be configured to at least one of receive andtransmit wireless power while simultaneously exchanging data with atleast one other electronic device. Other exemplary embodiments includecharging devices configured to synchronize data stored thereon with datastored on an associated chargeable device. Moreover, exemplaryembodiments include electronic devices configured to program a chargingdevice and electronic devices configured to transition to a chargingprofile upon detection of a charging source. Furthermore, exemplaryembodiments include security features for wireless charging.

FIG. 4 depicts a charging system 400 including a charging device 402having a transmit antenna 404 coupled thereto. Charging device 402 maycomprise any known and suitable wireless charging device configured fortransmitting wireless power with an associated charging region. Asdescribed more fully below, charging device 402 may be configured forgenerating and updating a charging profile of an associated chargeabledevice. Charging system 400 also includes a chargeable device 406 havingan associated antenna 408. Chargeable device 406 may comprise any knownand suitable chargeable device configured to wirelessly receive power.As non-limiting examples, chargeable device 406 may comprise a mobiletelephone, a portable media player, a camera, a gaming device, anavigation device, a headset (e.g., a Bluetooth headset), a tool, a toy,or any combination thereof. As described more fully below, chargeabledevice 406 may be configured to receive wireless power from chargingdevice 402.

More specifically, transmit antenna 404 may be configured to receivepower, via a transmitter (e.g., transmitter 104 of FIG. 2), from a powersource and, upon receipt of the power, may wirelessly transmit powerwithin an associated near-field. Further, wireless power transmitted bytransmit antenna 404 may be received by an antenna within an associatedcoupling mode-region. For example, power transmitted by transmit antenna404 may be received by antenna 408 and stored within a battery (e.g.,battery 136 of FIG. 2) within chargeable device 406. More specifically,power transmitted from transmit antenna 404 may be received by receiveantenna 408 and a receiver, such as receiver 108 of FIG. 2, which iscoupled to a battery of chargeable device 406.

Furthermore, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment, chargeabledevice 406 may be configured for exchanging data with charging device402, and vice versa. More specifically, as an example, chargeable device406 may be configured to establish a communication link 405 (see FIG. 5)with charging device 402 and, upon establishing communication link 405,may transmit information (e.g., audio files, data files, or video files)to charging device 402. Communication link 405 may be establishedthrough any known and suitable manner. For example, communication link405 may be established via near-field communication (NFC) means, viareflected impedance means, via a local area network (LAN), or via apersonal area network (PAN) such as a Bluetooth connection. It is notedthat charging device 402 may be configured to establish communicationlink 405 with chargeable device 406. As described more fully below,chargeable device 406 may also be configured to establish acommunication link 407 with a network 409.

FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of a charging system 450 includingwireless charging device 402. As illustrated, charging device 402 maycomprise a charging region 410 and a user interface 412. Charging device402 may be configured to wirelessly charge at least one chargeabledevice (e.g., chargeable device 406) positioned within charging region410. Interface 412 may include any known and suitable switches, buttons,dials, keypads, the like, or any combination thereof. Interface 412 maybe configured to accept inputs and commands and to present outputs.Further, interface 412 may be configured to enable a user to select datato be conveyed (i.e., via audio or visual means) by charging device 402.

Furthermore, interface 412 may include a display device 414, which maycomprise, for example only, a touch screen device having multi-touchinteractive capabilities to allow a device user to directly interactwith charging device 402 in order to communicate a command thereto.Interface 412 may be configured to display data related to one or morechargeable devices positioned within charging region 410. For exampleonly, interface 412 may be configured to display video, audio,alphanumeric text, graphics, or any combination thereof. Furthermore,interface 412 may include one or more speakers 416 configured foraudibly presenting data, such as an audio file, received from achargeable device positioned within charging region, such as chargeabledevice 406. It is noted that a device user may access data stored onchargeable device 406 via interface 412, or data may be transferred fromchargeable device 406 to charging device 402 and subsequently accessed.Additionally, it is noted that charging device 402 may be configured foroperable coupling to other devices, such as, for example only, an inputdevice 418 (e.g., a keyboard) and output devices 419 and 421. By way ofexample only, output device 419 may comprise a laptop computer andoutput device 421 may comprise an entertainment system. It is furthernoted that interface 412 may include input devices such as an audioand/or video input device (e.g., camera and/or audio recorder).

During a contemplated operation of charging system 450, one or morechargeable devices (e.g., chargeable device 406) may be positionedwithin charging region 410 and may receive power wirelessly transmittedfrom charging device 402. Furthermore, while wireless power is beingtransmitted, a user, via interface 412, may select audio, video, images,alphanumeric text, graphics, or any combination thereof, from one ormore of the chargeable devices positioned within charging region 410 tobe presented by interface 412. Additionally, it is noted that displaydevice 414 may be configured to replicate at least a portion of displayof a selected chargeable device positioned within charging region 410.Furthermore, keyboard 418 may be configured to replicate at least aportion of a keyboard of the selected chargeable device. It is notedthat charging device 402 may comprise additional functionality beyondthe functionality of chargeable device 406. As an example, if chargeabledevice 406 is an iPod®, charging device 402 may include iTunes®, thusenabling a user to create a playlist, delete songs, add songs, or anyother known functions that may not be available on chargeable device406.

FIG. 7 depicts a wireless charging system 460 including wirelesscharging device 402 having interface 412 and one or more chargeabledevices (e.g., chargeable device 422A, chargeable device 422B, orchargeable device 422C) positioned within an associated charging region410 (FIG. 6). As illustrated in FIG. 7, interface 412 may include aplurality of displays 420A, 420B and 420C (shown as inactive in FIG. 7but active in FIGS. 8 and 9), wherein each display 420A, display 420B,and display 420C may be configured to output information relating to oneor more chargeable devices 422 positioned within an associated chargingregion 410 (FIG. 6). Specifically, each display 420A, display 420B, anddisplay 420C may be configured to output video, audio, images, graphics,alphanumeric text, indicators, or any combination thereof relating tothe one or more chargeable devices 422.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention,charging system 460 may be configured to exchange data between chargingdevice 402 and one or more chargeable devices (e.g., chargeable device422A). More specifically, upon establishing data or communication link405 (see FIG. 5), data (e.g., music, videos, images, calendars,contacts, etc.) may be transferred from, for example, a ‘public’directory of a chargeable device (e.g., chargeable device 422A) tocharging device 402. Furthermore, after data or communication link 405has been established and data is transferred from the chargeable deviceto charging device 402, the transferred data may be presented in one ormore displays 420A, 420B or 420C. For example, chargeable device 422Bmay transmit one or more photographs to charging device 402. Uponreceipt of the one or more photographs, charging device 402 may beconfigured to store the one or more photographs and, therefore,photographs stored on charging device 402 may be synchronized withphotographs stored on chargeable device 422C. Accordingly, a device usermay be able to access his or her photographs from each of chargingdevice 402 and chargeable device 422B. Further, charging device 402 maybe configured to display the one or more photographs in one or moredisplays (e.g., display 420C).

As another example, audio files stored on a chargeable device (e.g.chargeable device 422C) may be transferred to charging device 402 tosynchronize audio files stored on charging device 402 with audio filesstored on chargeable device 422C. Accordingly, a device user may be ableto access his or her, for example, audio files from each of chargingdevice 402 and chargeable device 422C. Furthermore, charging device 402may be configured to audibly convey an audio file transferred fromchargeable device 422C. Furthermore, for example only, as illustrated inFIG. 8, charging device 402 may be configured to display an audio“playlist” and related data in displays 420A and 420B, and a graphicaland textual depiction of an audio file currently being played in display420C.

As yet another example, charging system 460 may be configured tosynchronize calendar data stored on charging device 402 with calendardata stored on one or more chargeable devices (e.g., chargeable device422A). Accordingly, a device user may be able to access his or hercalendar from each of charging device 402 and chargeable device 422A.Further, as illustrated in FIG. 9, charging device 402 may be configuredto display information related to a calendar in one or more displays420A, 420B, and 420C. More specifically, for example only, chargingdevice 402 may be configured to display a date in display 420B, a listof one or more calendar items in display 420A, and a depiction of acalendar in display 420C. Furthermore, charging system 460 may beconfigured to synchronize a plurality of calendars with a universalcalendar stored on charging device 402. For example, calendar datastored on electronic device 422A and calendar data stored on electronicdevice 422C may be synchronized with calendar data related to auniversal calendar stored on charging device 402.

Moreover, in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention, charging system 460 may be configured to exchange databetween a first chargeable device (e.g., chargeable device 422A) and asecond chargeable device (e.g., chargeable device 422C). For exampleonly, data related to a calendar stored on chargeable device 422A may besynchronized with data related to a calendar stored on chargeable device422C. Additionally, charging system 460 may be configured to exchangedata between a chargeable device positioned within an associatedcharging region (e.g., electronic device 422A) and another electronicdevice, which is communicatively coupled to charging device 402. Forexample, a list of contacts stored on chargeable device 422A may betransferred to and stored on laptop computer 419 (see FIG. 5), which iscommunicatively coupled to charging device 402. It is noted thatelectronic devices (e.g. electronic device 422A and electronic device422C) may be communicatively coupled directly. For example, chargingdevice 402 may enable a communication link between electronic device422A and electronic device 422C and thereafter, electronic device 422Aand electronic device 422C may exchange data directly.

It is noted that charging device 402 may be configured to transmit data(video, audio, images, graphics, alphanumeric text, or any combinationthereof relating to one or more chargeable devices) to output devices419 and 421. Accordingly, output device 419, which may comprise a laptopcomputer, and output device 421, which may comprise an entertainmentsystem, may output the data. It is further noted that while one or morechargeable devices are positioned within a charging region of chargingdevice 402, the one or more chargeable devices may receive powerwirelessly from charging device 402. As a result, and, in accordancewith an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, one or morechargeable devices may receive wireless power from charging device 402and, simultaneously, data may be shared amongst the one or morechargeable devices and charging device 402. Moreover, charging device402 may simultaneously output data associated with the one or morechargeable devices.

Furthermore, with reference again to FIG. 5, chargeable device 406 maybe configured to establish wireless communication link 407 with network409, which may comprise a local network or a publicly accessiblenetwork, such as the Internet. Wireless communication link 407 maycomprise any known and suitable wireless communication link.Accordingly, charging device 402 may be configured to utilize chargeabledevice 406, which is positioned within an associated charging region, toestablish a communication link with network 409, such as the Internet.As a result, charging device 402 may request and receive data fromnetwork 409. According to one exemplary embodiment, charging device 402may be configured to utilize chargeable device 406 as a wireless modemand may communicate directly with network 409. In another exemplaryembodiment, charging device 402 may be configured to transmit a datarequest to chargeable device 406 and, thereafter, chargeable device 406may request and retrieve the data from network 409. Upon receipt of therequested data, chargeable device 406 may convey the data to chargingdevice 402.

As an example, charging device 402 may download software or firmwareupdates from network 409 to be installed thereon. Further, chargingdevice 402 may download software or firmware updates from network 409 tobe installed on another chargeable device 406′. More specifically,charging device 402 may download software or firmware updates forchargeable device 406′ via communication links 405 and 407 and,thereafter, transmit the software or firmware updates to chargeabledevice 406′ via communication link 405′. As a more specific example,charging device 402 may utilize a mobile telephone (e.g. chargeabledevice 406) positioned within an associated charging region to establisha communication link (i.e., communication links 405 and 407) with theInternet and, further, may download a software patch for a digitalcamera (e.g., chargeable device 406′) also positioned within anassociated charging region. The software patch may then be conveyed tothe digital camera via a communication link (i.e., communication link405′) between charging device 402 and the digital camera. It is notedthat a charging level of a battery associated with chargeable device406′ may be considered before establishing communication link 407 if arate of energy use required to establish and maintain communication link407 is greater than a rate of energy receiver from charging device 402.

As mentioned above, and in accordance with an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention, charging device 402 may be configured forgenerating, and updating, a charging profile related to an associatedchargeable device. More specifically, charging device 402 may beconfigured for generating, storing, and updating data related to acharging history of the associated chargeable device. For example,charging device 402 may keep record of a number of times a chargeabledevice has been charged, time durations for charging periods of thechargeable device, and times of day that the chargeable device has beencharged. Accordingly, as an example, using an associated chargingprofile, charging device 402 may be configured to determine that a userof a specific chargeable device usually charges the chargeable device atapproximately 10:00 PM for approximately an eight hour time duration. Asa result, a charging profile including data related to a charginghistory of a specific chargeable device may enable charging device 402to better predict charging habits of a user associated with thechargeable device.

According to an exemplary embodiment, charging device 402 may beconfigured to utilize one or more charging profiles of associatedchargeable devices to determine optimal times for downloading data froma network, downloading data from a chargeable device, uploading data toa chargeable device, or any combination thereof. For example, ifcharging device 402 wishes to synchronize data stored within chargingdevice 402 with data stored on a media player, which is positionedwithin an associated charging region 410 (FIG. 6), charging device 402may use a charging profile of the media player to determine an optimaltime to complete the operation. As another example, if charging device402 wishes to establish a communication link with the Internet via amobile telephone and download a software patch for a digital camera,charging device 402 may use a charging profile of the digital camera anda charging profile of the mobile telephone to determine an optimal timeto complete the operation.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method 680, in accordance with oneor more exemplary embodiments. Method 680 may include transmittingwireless power from a transmit antenna of a charging device to one ormore chargeable devices proximate the charging device (depicted bynumeral 682). Method 680 may further include synchronizing data storedon the charging device with data stored on at least one chargeabledevice of the one or more chargeable devices (depicted by numeral 684).

While wireless power transmission may occur when one device in awireless power transmission system includes a transmitter and anotherdevice includes a receiver, a single device may include both a wirelesspower transmitter and a wireless power receiver. Accordingly, such anembodiment could be configured to include dedicated transmit circuitry(e.g., a transmit power conversion circuit and a transmit antenna) anddedicated receiver circuitry (e.g., a receive antenna and a receivepower conversion circuit). Accordingly, the various exemplaryembodiments disclosed herein identify bidirectional power transmission,namely, the capability for a device to both receive wireless power atthe device and to transmit wireless power from the device.

Various benefits of such a configuration include the ability of a deviceto receive and store wireless power and then to subsequently transmit or“donate” stored power to another receiving or “absorbing” device.Accordingly, such a configuration may also be considered as a“peer-to-peer” “charitable” charging configuration. Such adevice-charging arrangement provides considerable convenience inlocation under which charging occurs (i.e., the receiver or “absorbing”device need not necessarily receive a charge from an inconvenientlylocated or unavailable charging pad).

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, achargeable device having at least one antenna may be configured totransmit wireless power to at least one other chargeable device andreceive wireless power from at least one other chargeable device. Morespecifically, with reference to FIG. 11, first chargeable device 480having antenna 482 may be configured to transmit wireless power tosecond chargeable device 484 having antenna 486, and vice versa.Accordingly, each of first chargeable device 480 and second chargeabledevice 484 may be configured for bidirectional wireless charging. Anexemplary approach for such bidirectional wireless charging is describedin U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/552,110, entitled “BIDIRECTIONALWIRELESS POWER TRANSMISSION” filed on Sep. 1, 2009, the details of whichare incorporated by reference herein.

FIG. 12 illustrates an electronic device 502 having an antenna 504coupled thereto. Electronic device 502 may comprise any known electronicdevice. In the example illustrated in FIG. 12, electronic device 502comprises a laptop computer wherein antenna 504 is coupled to a lid(i.e., the monitor) of the laptop computer. According to one exemplaryembodiment, antenna 504 and associated circuitry (not shown) may beconfigured for both receiving wireless power and transmitting wirelesspower. According to another exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIG.13, electronic device 502 may comprise a receive antenna 506 andassociated receiver circuitry (not shown) configured for receivingwireless power and a transmit antenna 508 and associated transmittercircuitry (not shown) configured for transmitting wireless power. It isnoted that each of antenna 504, receive antenna 506, and transmitantenna 508 may be coupled to electronic device 502 in a manner so as toavoid any electrical interference between the antennas and any metalliccomponents of electronic device 502 (e.g., a metallic display ofelectronic device 502).

In either exemplary embodiment, the antenna configured to receivewireless power (i.e., antenna 504 or receive antenna 506) may interfacewith an element of electronic device 502, such as a power circuit (e.g.,matching circuit 132 and rectifier and switching circuit 134 of FIG. 2),a battery (e.g., battery 136 of FIG. 2), or any combination thereof.Accordingly, power received by antenna 504 or antenna 506 may beconveyed to the element (e.g., a battery, a power circuit, or anycombination thereof) of electronic device 502. Further, the antennaconfigured to transmit wireless power (i.e., antenna 504 or transmitantenna 508) may interface with a power source of electronic device 502,such as a power circuit (e.g., oscillator 122, matching circuit 132, andrectifier and switching circuit 134 of FIG. 2), a battery (e.g., battery136 of FIG. 2), or any combination thereof. Accordingly, power may beconveyed from the power source (e.g., a battery, a power circuit, or anycombination thereof) of electronic device 502 to antenna 504 or antenna508, which may then wirelessly transmit power within an associatednear-field region.

FIG. 14 illustrates a state machine diagram 600 for an electronic deviceconfigured for both receiving wireless power and transmitting wirelesspower. At any time while an energy level (i.e., an amount of batterycharge) of the electronic device (e.g., electronic device 502) isgreater than a predetermined threshold level, the electronic device mayoperate in a “READY to TRANSMIT STATE” 602. Accordingly, if theelectronic device lacks a sufficient charge to charge another electronicdevice, or if doing so would significantly drain the power from theelectronic device rendering it in need of immediate charge, theelectronic device may not operate in the “READY to TRANSMIT STATE” 602.

If at any time while the electronic device is in READY to TRANSMITENERGY STATE 602, another electronic device configured for receiving awireless charge is positioned within a charging region of the electronicdevice, an authentication process between the electronic devices mayoccur. After the devices have been successfully authenticated, theelectronic device may transition to a “TRANSMIT STATE” 604, wherein theelectronic device may transmit power to the another chargeable device.Furthermore, if at any time while the electronic device is in READY toTRANSMIT ENERGY STATE 602, the electronic device is positioned within acharging region of another electronic device configured to transmitwireless power, an authentication process between the electronic devicesmay occur. Upon successful authentication, the electronic device maytransition to a “RECEIVE STATE” 606, wherein the electronic device mayreceive a wireless charge from the another electronic device. It isnoted that a determination of whether to accept or decline a chargerequest from a chargeable device may be dependent on a user-definedpreference. Moreover, a device user may receive a real-time promptasking whether to accept or decline a power request. It is further notedthat the electronic device may be configured to simultaneously transmitwireless power and receive wireless power. Accordingly, the electronicdevice may simultaneously be in TRANSMIT STATE 604 and RECEIVE STATE606.

As will be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art,“surface computing” is a term associated with a technology wherein auser may interact with a computer and/or an electronic device throughthe surface instead of a keyboard, mouse, or monitor. A multi-touchsurface may facilitate surface computing by allowing the manipulation ofobjects displayed on a surface through surface contact (e.g., touch bymultiple fingers or multiple users). Further, content may be transferredbetween two or more devices positioned on the surface of the objectusing a unique identifier assigned to each device.

FIG. 15 illustrates a surface computing device 700 configured forwireless charging, in accordance with various exemplary embodiments ofthe present invention. Device 700 may include a display, which maycomprise a touch sensitive plasma screen. Further, device 700 mayinclude cameras, projectors, speakers, etc., as will be understood by aperson having ordinary skill in the art. In addition, wireless charger700 may include a transmit antenna 702 configured to wirelessly transmitpower within an associated near-field region.

As configured, device 700 may detect and authenticate the presence of anelectronic device positioned on a surface 708 of device 700. Thepresence of a device, for example, a mobile phone 704 or a digitalcamera 706, positioned upon device 700 may be determined by detecting afield disturbance of a magnetic field established between transmitterantenna 702 and an antenna (not shown) within an electronic device(e.g., mobile phone 704) and configured for receiving wireless power. Inaddition to detecting the presence of an electronic device, a fielddisturbance may indicate that an electronic device is ready to receivewireless power, or ready to transmit or receive information. Forexample, an electronic device positioned on device 700, such as digitalcamera 706, may transmit a signal, via a wireless charging protocol,requesting a wireless charge, requesting establishment of a wirelessdata link, such as a Bluetooth (BT) connection, or both. It is notedthat any known and suitable data link may be within the scope of thepresent invention. For example, a data link may comprise a Bluetoothconnection, a Wi-Fi connection, a 60 GHz connection, or a UWBconnection.

It is noted that before a wireless data link (e.g. a BT connection) maybe established between an electronic device (e.g., mobile phone 704 ordigital camera 706) and device 700, device 700 may initiate a keyexchange to ‘pair’ the electronic device and device 700. Once paired, adata link may be initiated, allowing data to transfer between device 700and the electronic device being charged. More specifically, uponestablishing the data link, data, such as photographs, videos, or music,may be transferred from, for example, a ‘public’ directory of theelectronic device to device 700. Furthermore, after a data link has beenestablished and data is transferred from the electronic device to device700, a user may interact with the data in a user-friendly, multi-touchway, while the electronic device positioned on surface 708 receives awireless charge. As an example, data transferred from the electronicdevice may be conveyed (e.g., photographs may be displayed or music maybe played) by device 700 while the electronic device is charging. It isnoted that a device user may access and interact with data stored on theelectronic device without transferring the data to device 700.

FIG. 16 illustrates another surface computing device 800 configured forwireless charging, in accordance with various exemplary embodiments ofthe present invention. Device 800 includes a transmit antenna 820configured to wirelessly transmit power within an associated near-fieldregion. According to one exemplary embodiment, device 800 may beimplemented as a multi-touch surface configured to display aninteractive menu having interactive elements (i.e., controls) associatedwith at least one of the one or more electronic devices positionedthereon. Device 800 may comprise a camera 804 and projector 802configured for receiving and transmitting images onto a surface 808 ofdevice 800. Image 810 is one such image representing a keypad frommobile phone 704 projected onto surface 808 of device 800. A projectedimage of a keypad may enhance the use of mobile phone 704 by presentinga larger area to manipulate phone controls over that available in theconfined space available on an actual keypad of mobile phone 704.Additionally, a projected image of a keyboard may include additionalfunctionality compared to mobile phone 704. For example, a projectedimage may display a full QWERTY keyboard for a mobile phone that onlyincludes a numeric pad. Furthermore, device 800 may include speakers 801configured for audibly conveying data, such as an audio file, receivedfrom an electronic device, such as mobile phone 704.

According to another exemplary embodiment, device 800 may be configuredto communicate with a stand-alone computer. For example only, device 800may be configured to communicate with a stand-alone computer viawireless means, such as via a USB adapter or a USB dongle. Accordingly,the stand-alone computer and an associated display may be used tofacilitate information exchanges to and from electronic devices placedon device 800 or via the Internet. More specifically, FIG. 17illustrates a system wherein device 800 is configured to communicatewith a computer 900 through a USB dongle 902, which provides acommunication link between device 800 and computer 900 by means of, forexample, a Bluetooth connection. In this exemplary embodiment, a monitorof computer 900 may be used to manipulate data on the electronic device(e.g., mobile phone 704) positioned upon the surface of device 800.Additionally, computer 900 may provide a communication link to theInternet to enable a connection between the electronic device and theInternet. Accordingly, for example, data may be transferred betweenmobile phone 704 and computer 900 while the mobile phone 704 is beingcharged via transmit antenna 820.

As will be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art, amobile telephone may be programmed to operate in various profilesettings. For example, an “alert mode,” and “alert volume,” and an“alert tone” may each be programmable. More specifically, for exampleonly, a mobile telephone may be programmed to operate in a “silent”mode, a “normal” mode, a “loud” mode, or a “vibrate” mode. Furthermore,a mobile telephone may be programmed to operate at various volumelevels, such as a “low” volume, a “medium” volume, or a “high” volume.Moreover, an “alert tone” may be programmable and may comprise, forexample, a “beep,” a “melody,” or a “ring.”

FIG. 18 illustrates a chargeable device 920, which may comprise, forexample only, a mobile telephone. In accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention, chargeable device 920 may beconfigured to automatically transition from its current profile settinginto a user-defined “charging” profile upon detection of a power source922. For example only, power source 922 may comprise either a wirelesscharging device or a wired power source. Furthermore, according toanother exemplary embodiment of the present invention, chargeable device920 may be configured to automatically transition back to a priorprofile setting upon removal of power source 922. By way of exampleonly, chargeable device 920, which may initially be programmed (i.e.,set) to a “vibrate” profile, may, upon detection of power source 922,automatically transition into a user-defined “charging” profile, whichmay comprise a “melody” alert tone at a “high” volume. Additionally,upon removal of power source 922, chargeable device 920 mayautomatically transition from the “charging” profile back to the profilein which chargeable device 920 was operating prior to detection of powersource 922 (i.e., “vibrate” profile).

It is noted that power source 922 may be detected via any known manner.For example, in an exemplary embodiment wherein power source 922comprises a wired power source, power source 922 may be detected uponcoupling chargeable device 920 to power source 922 via a powerconnector, such as a power cord. Moreover, in an exemplary embodimentwherein power source 922 comprises a wireless power source, power source922 may be detected by, for example only, near-field communication (NFC)means or reflected impedance means.

As will also be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art,a wireless charging device (e.g., charging device 402) may comprisevarious wireless charging user-programmable functions, which may beprogrammed by a user via a user-interface (e.g., a keyboard or adisplay) associated with the wireless charging device. For example, awireless charging device may be programmed, via an associated interfacepositioned thereon, to automatically reduce or cease power transmissionduring daytime hours and automatically increase power transmissionduring nighttime hours. As another example, a wireless charging devicemay be programmed, via an associated interface positioned thereon, totransmit power wirelessly for a specified duration. As yet anotherexample, a wireless charging device may be programmed, via an associatedinterface positioned thereon, to automatically reduce power transmissionupon determining that a human is proximate the wireless charging device.

FIG. 19 illustrates a charging system 930 having a wireless chargingdevice 932 and at least one electronic device 934. In accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the present invention, electronic device 934 mayinclude an interface 936, such as a multi-media interface, and may beconfigured for programming various wireless charging functions ofwireless charging device 932. It is noted that electronic device 934 maycomprise necessary multi-media functionality for remotely programminganother electronic device, as will be understood by a person havingordinary skill in the art. Furthermore, charging device 932 andelectronic device 934 may each include a standardized wirelesscommunication interface to enable for wireless communicationthere-between. Accordingly, charging system 930 may enable a user toprogram any user-programmable function of charging device 932 viainterface 936 of electronic device 934. For example only, chargingdevice 932 may be programmed, via interface 936 of electronic device934, to wirelessly transmit power for a specified time duration. Asanother example, charging device 932 may be programmed, via interface936 of electronic device 934, to automatically reduce power transmissionduring daytime hours (e.g., from 8 AM to 8 PM) and increase powertransmission during nighttime hours (e.g., from 8 PM to 8 AM).

FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating another method 690, according to oneor more exemplary embodiments. Method 690 may include programming atleast one user-programmable function of a wireless charging device withan electronic device having a multi-media interface (depicted by numeral692).

FIG. 21 illustrates a charging system 950 including a chargeable device952 and a device 954. For example only, device 954 may comprise aBluetooth headset. According to an exemplary embodiment, chargeabledevice 952 may be configured as a beacon transmitter and device 954 maybe configured as a beacon receiver. Accordingly, chargeable device 952and device 954 may be configured to communicate via a wireless interface966, such as a Bluetooth interface. Chargeable device 952 may include amulti-media interface 956 and at least one antenna 958 and may beconfigured to receive wireless power from a wireless charging device 960having at least one transmit antenna 962. Charging system 950 mayfurther include a tether system 964, which may be distributed onchargeable device 952, device 954, or both.

Upon positioning chargeable device 952 in a charging region of chargingdevice 960 (e.g., a public charging device), tether system 964 may beconfigured to “lock” multi-media interface 956. Multi-media interface956 may be “unlocked,” for example, upon receipt of a valid pin enteredby a device user. Furthermore, tether system 964 may be configured totransmit a signal from chargeable device 952 to device 954. Device 954may be configured to receive the transmitted signal over interface 966so long as device 954 remains within communication range of chargeabledevice 952. In the event device 954 is removed from communication rangewith chargeable device 952, device 954 may issue an identifiable alert(e.g., a first audible alert) to notify a device user that device 954 isout of range. Further, if at any time during operation, chargeabledevice 952 is removed from the charging region of charging device 960,chargeable device 952 may send a signal to device 954 and, upon receiptof the signal, device 954 may issue an identifiable alert (e.g., asecond, different audible alert) to notify the device user thatchargeable device 952 has been removed from the charging region ofcharging device 960.

A contemplated operation of charging system 950 will now be described.Initially, a device user may position chargeable device 952 within acharging region of a public charging device, such as charging device960. It is noted that a public charging device may be positioned in apublic place such as, for example only, an airport, a restaurant, ahotel, etc. Further, while carrying device 952, the device user mayleave the area proximate charging device 960. For example only, a deviceuser may carry device 952 in a pocket or attach device 952 to their ear.In the event device 954 is removed out of communication range withchargeable device 952, device 954 may issue an identifiable alert (e.g.,an audible alert) to notify a device user that device 954 is out ofrange. Further, if chargeable device 952 is removed from the chargingregion of charging device 960 (e.g., a third-party either purposely oraccidentally removes chargeable device 952 from charging device 960),chargeable device 952 may send a signal to device 954 and, upon receiptof the signal, device 954 may issue an identifiable alert (e.g.,another, different audible alert) to notify the device user thatchargeable device 952 has been removed from the charging region ofcharging device 960. Accordingly, charging system 950 may provide asecurity feature to be employed while using a public charging device.

Those of skill in the art would understand that information and signalsmay be represented using any of a variety of different technologies andtechniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information,signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referenced throughout theabove description may be represented by voltages, currents,electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields orparticles, or any combination thereof.

Those of skill would further appreciate that the various illustrativelogical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described inconnection with the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein may beimplemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or combinationsof both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware andsoftware, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits,and steps have been described above generally in terms of theirfunctionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware orsoftware depends upon the particular application and design constraintsimposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans may implement thedescribed functionality in varying ways for each particular application,but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing adeparture from the scope of the exemplary embodiments of the invention.

The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and circuits describedin connection with the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein may beimplemented or performed with a general purpose processor, a DigitalSignal Processor (DSP), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit(ASIC), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or other programmablelogic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardwarecomponents, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functionsdescribed herein. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor,but in the alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor,controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also beimplemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combinationof a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one ormore microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other suchconfiguration.

The steps of a method or algorithm described in connection with theexemplary embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied directly inhardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in acombination of the two. A software module may reside in Random AccessMemory (RAM), flash memory, Read Only Memory (ROM), ElectricallyProgrammable ROM (EPROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM(EEPROM), registers, hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any otherform of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium iscoupled to the processor such that the processor can read informationfrom, and write information to, the storage medium. In the alternative,the storage medium may be integral to the processor. The processor andthe storage medium may reside in an ASIC. The ASIC may reside in a userterminal. In the alternative, the processor and the storage medium mayreside as discrete components in a user terminal.

In one or more exemplary embodiments, the functions described may beimplemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof.If implemented in software, the functions may be stored on ortransmitted over as one or more instructions or code on acomputer-readable medium. Computer-readable media includes both computerstorage media and communication media including any medium thatfacilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another. Astorage media may be any available media that can be accessed by acomputer. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readablemedia can comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical diskstorage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or anyother medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code inthe form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed bya computer. Also, any connection is properly termed a computer-readablemedium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website,server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable,twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologiessuch as infrared, radio, and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiberoptic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such asinfrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of medium.Disk and disc, as used herein, includes compact disc (CD), laser disc,optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and blu-ray discwhere disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproducedata optically with lasers. Combinations of the above should also beincluded within the scope of computer-readable media.

The previous description of the disclosed exemplary embodiments isprovided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use thepresent invention. Various modifications to these exemplary embodimentswill be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the genericprinciples defined herein may be applied to other embodiments withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the presentinvention is not intended to be limited to the exemplary embodimentsshown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with theprinciples and novel features disclosed herein.

1. A charging device, comprising: a charging region configured for placement of one or more chargeable devices; and at least one transmit antenna configured for transmitting wireless power within the charging region; wherein the charging device is further configured to exchange data between at least one chargeable device of the one or more chargeable devices.
 2. The charging device of claim 1, wherein the charging device further comprises an interface having at least one of a display device and one or more speakers.
 3. The charging device of claim 2, wherein the display device is configured to replicate at least a portion of a display device of a chargeable device of the one or more chargeable devices.
 4. The charging device of claim 1, wherein the charging device is further configured to at least one of visually convey data and audibly convey data.
 5. The charging device of claim 1, wherein the charging device is further configured to operably couple to at least one of an input device and an output device.
 6. The charging device of claim 5, wherein the input device is configured to replicate at least a portion of a user interface of a chargeable device of the one or more chargeable devices.
 7. The charging device of claim 1, wherein the charging device is further configured to exchange data between at least one chargeable device of the one or more chargeable devices and at least one other chargeable device of the one or more chargeable devices.
 8. The charging device of claim 1, wherein the charging device is further configured to maintain a charging history profile for at least one chargeable device of the one or more chargeable devices.
 9. A method, comprising: transmitting wireless power from a transmit antenna of a charging device to one or more chargeable devices proximate the charging device; and exchanging data between the charging device and at least one chargeable device of the one or more chargeable devices.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein exchanging comprises transmitting data stored on at least one chargeable device of the one or more chargeable devices to the charging device.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein exchanging comprises synchronizing calendar data stored on the charging device with calendar data stored on at least one chargeable device of the one or more chargeable devices.
 12. The method of claim 9, wherein exchanging comprises synchronizing audio files stored on the charging device with audio files stored on at least one chargeable device of the one or more chargeable devices.
 13. The method of claim 9, wherein exchanging comprises synchronizing photographs stored on the charging device with photographs stored on at least one chargeable device of the one or more chargeable devices.
 14. The method of claim 9, further comprising presenting data from at least one chargeable device of the one or more chargeable devices with the charging device.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein conveying data comprises displaying at least one of an image, a video, graphics, and alphanumeric text transmitted from at least one chargeable device of the one or more chargeable devices within a display device of the charging device.
 16. The method of claim 9, further comprising establishing a communication link between the charging device and a network, wherein the communication link comprises a first communication link between the charging device and a chargeable device of the one or more chargeable devices and a second communication link between the chargeable device and the network.
 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising downloading data from the network to the charging device.
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein establishing a communication link between the charging device and a network comprises establishing a communication link between the charging device and the Internet.
 19. A charging device, comprising: means for transmitting wireless power from a transmit antenna of a charging device to one or more chargeable devices proximate the charging device; and means for exchanging data between the charging device and at least one chargeable device of the one or more chargeable devices.
 20. An electronic device comprising an interface and configured for programming at least one wireless charging user-programmable function of a wireless charging device.
 21. The electronic device of claim 20, wherein the electronic device is further configured to transition to a user-defined charging profile upon detection of a power source.
 22. The electronic device of claim 21, wherein the electronic device is further configured to transition from the user-defined charging profile to a prior profile setting upon removal of the power source.
 23. The electronic device of claim 20, wherein the electronic device is further configured to lock the interface upon being positioned within a charging region of the charging device.
 24. The electronic device of claim 20, wherein the electronic device is further configured as a beacon transmitter adapted to transmit a signal to a beacon receiver upon being positioned within a charging region of the charging device.
 25. The electronic device of claim 24, wherein the beacon receiver is configured to convey an audible alert if the beacon receiver is removed out of communication range with the electronic device.
 26. The electronic device of claim 24, wherein the beacon receiver is configured to convey an audible alert if the electronic device is removed from a charging region of the charging device.
 27. A method comprising programming at least one wireless charging user-programmable function of a wireless charging device with an electronic device having a user interface. 